"Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servants cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself cursed other." Ecclesiates 7:21-22 [ESV] Have a thick skin! Don't take personally everything people say. Don't be quick to take offense. If we are slow to take offense, … Continue reading Bible Notes #2 — Ecclesiates 7:21-22
Tag: Christianity
Pastor Notes #18
Vision means being able to see. We have natural vision – eyesight – that enables us to see the physical, material world around us. God also grants his people spiritual vision which enables us to see spiritual realities as God moves in the world. The writer of Hebrews tell us that spiritual vision is an … Continue reading Pastor Notes #18
Prayer Notes #9–Wanting What You Want, Lord, Then Doing What I Want
Savior, thank you for your unfailing presence with me. Thank you for reminding me that everything I do is filled with meaning in you. You know that I struggle against and resist so much of what you lay before me to do, because I don't "feel like" doing it. So very much of my meaning … Continue reading Prayer Notes #9–Wanting What You Want, Lord, Then Doing What I Want
Pastor Note #17–Sexual Discipleship
“When Christ calls a man [a person], he bids him come and die.” That is a powerful statement made by a man who died because of his faith in Jesus Christ and Christ’s calling on his life. His name was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a German pastor and theologian, and he was hanged by the … Continue reading Pastor Note #17–Sexual Discipleship
Pastor Note #16 — “Sex With a Purpose”
What is sex? And what is it for? And is your answer any of my business anyway? For all our modern western society’s fixation on sexuality, I don’t see any evidence that we are any less confused about it than our great grandparents. So many books are being published on how to deal with … Continue reading Pastor Note #16 — “Sex With a Purpose”
Pastor Notes #15 — A Theology of Sex
A Theology of Sex Rev. Gary A. Chorpenning We live in an age of sexual confusion. I suspect it might be possible to make the argument that human beings have lived in sexual confusion ever since the Fall in to sin described in Genesis 3. Forty-one years ago the Presbyterian church produced “The Confession of … Continue reading Pastor Notes #15 — A Theology of Sex
Prayer Notes #8
The following is an excerpt from much longer piece that I edited and updated from a classic manual of piety from early seventeenth century England. Feel free to make use of this in any way that will be helpful to the body of Christ. Two requests: mention where your got it and don't make money … Continue reading Prayer Notes #8
Prayer Notes #7
A Reflection on Matthew 27:24-31 What kind of king are you, Lord Jesus? Just when I think I’m beginning to understand your kingship, some new facet shifts into my view, and I am again swept up into wonder and amazement, confusion and mystification. You are the Creator of all things, all majestic vistas that we … Continue reading Prayer Notes #7
Pastor#14
“Believing and Belonging – Belonging and Believing” Those terms are often used to name two elements – the two elements? – that are involved when a person becomes part of the community of God’s people. What we might mean by “believing” is probably pretty simple and straightforward. But maybe not quite so simple and straightforward … Continue reading Pastor#14
Prayer Notes #6–Choosing to Hear
My Lord, how you work in faithful purposefulness! You give me a heart that is able to listen. You intentionally choose to place me where I can be of use. Though, all too often I fail to pay attention. The failure is in my attentiveness, my alertness, not in the clarity of your voice. You … Continue reading Prayer Notes #6–Choosing to Hear
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 